Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Beaver, Washington
Beaver is a logging community in Clallam County that takes its
name form nearly Beaver Creek and lake which, in turn, were named
for the proliferation of beaver in the area when it was sealed by
Martin Kopanski in 1891. (Washington State Place Names)

Washington voters reject carbon fees for second time
For the second time in two years, Washington voters are rejecting an
initiative to put a price on carbon emissions. In Tuesday night’s final
statewide count, some 56 percent of Washington voters were saying no to
Initiative 1631, which would have imposed a fee on carbon emissions to
control climate change. Dana Bieber with the No on 1631 campaign called
the results a “clear victory for Washington families and small
businesses … as well as a victory for the environment.” The rejection
followed a big money opposition campaign that portrayed the initiative
as too expensive for consumers and small businesses, unfair and unlikely
to produce significant results. Manola Secaira reports. (Crosscut) See
also: Portlanders Pass Measure To Create Clean Energy Fund Ericka Cruz Guevarra reports. (OPB)

B.C.
adds aboriginal consultation to environment assessments
B.C.’s environment minister has unveiled a sweeping re-write of
the province’s environmental assessment rules, building in for the
first time specific references to consultation with First Nations.
George Heyman said Monday his new legislation will refocus the
environmental assessment process on Aboriginal consent, early
engagement, clear timelines and the consideration of other issues
related to climate change, pollution targets and the effects of
projects on future generations.... The legislation does not make
First Nations consent mandatory for a project like a mine or
pipeline to be approved, unless there is a treaty or cabinet order
that specifically sets consent as binding. Instead, the process
would engage Aboriginal leaders early and often in the review
process. If cabinet ministers proceed despite First Nations
objections, they would have to provide written reasons and, prior
to a final decision, sit down face-to-face with Aboriginal leaders
to try and come to a consensus on a decision. Rob Shaw reports.
(Vancouver Sun)

DNR
swaps 193 acres to save Blanchard ‘core’ from logging
he end is nearing for efforts to protect a 1,600-acre “core” of
Blanchard Mountain from logging. On Tuesday, the state Board of
Natural Resources gave the Washington State Department of Natural
Resources the OK to buy about 193 acres of working forest next to
Blanchard State Forest in Skagit County. It will help replace
timber revenue that Skagit County once received from Blanchard
that is being put into conservation status. The price was about
$1.2 million, DNR said in a news release. Kie Relyea reports.
(Bellingham Herald)

Salmon
swim across road in Washington state
Travelers on a Washington state highway captured video of an
unusual traffic hazard -- salmon swimming across the street. Terri
Sue Potter recorded
video Sunday showing multiple fish swimming across the
shallow waters flooding a small section of U.S. Highway 101 in the
Shelton area. Alexis Leonard, a fish hatchery specialist, also recorded
video of the unusual phenomenon. Leonard said the fish come
from the Skokomish River and sometimes end up on roads and other
areas when the nearly creeks flood during the spawning season. Ben
Hooper reports. (UPI)

‘Puget Sound Orca Recovery Day’ happening Nov. 10
Ten conservation districts across the Puget Sound will host
restoration events that address two of the primary causes of orca
whale decline: malnutrition due to salmon scarcity and increasing
water pollution. Volunteer events will include salmon stream
restoration plantings, rain garden installations, and marine
shoreline restoration. Each event also will feature educational
programming to inspire participants with ideas of what they can do
every day to help orca recovery. These events are family-friendly
and designed for everyday people to volunteer in their local
community to address the known factors that directly impact the
health of our local orca whale population. Details can be found at
BetterGround.org.

Timber towers can make future friendlier to climate, conference hears
For Dutch architect Do Janne Vermeulen, the “space race” to build the
world’s tallest timber-based building is no longer a matter of pride,
but more of a sustainable imperative.... Vermeulen’s Amsterdam-based
firm, Team V Architecture, is in that race with its design for Haut, a
73-metre (240-feet-tall) hybrid mass-timber residential building in a
new, sustainability focused residential district of that city. And
multiplying the numbers of buildings defined as sustainable,
sequestering carbon in renewable wood construction materials, is
becoming more important at a time when warnings about climate change are
becoming more stark. Derrick Penner reports. (Vancouver Sun)

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Salish Sea Communications provides communications and public relations services that raise visibility and engage audiences. Drawing on over 30 years experience in private, public and not-for-profit work, Mike Sato brings to you his skills and insights in developing and carrying out your print, electronic and social media projects and products. "I've been in the communications business since 1977 starting with community weekly newspapers then working for Seattle City Light, the Puget Sound Water Quality Authority, Hawaiian Electric Company and, for 20 years, People For Puget Sound." Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told. WA State UBI #601395482